Fantasy Footballers Podcast – "Playoff Primer + Trade Targets & League Winners"

Date: November 12, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a detailed “Playoff Primer” focusing on how to set your fantasy football roster up for the home stretch. The trio analyzes favorable playoff schedules, discusses trade targets and league-winner candidates, and shares waiver wire backup options. Expect a blend of deep analysis, roster advice, and the signature Footballers' humor.

Key Segments and Insights

1. Welcome Back Jason & Light-Hearted Banter

• [01:27 – 05:00]
  • Jason returns after an illness, receiving a humorous “emergency kit” from the crew (complete with adult diapers, barf bags, Pepto, and an alarm clock).
  • Jason: “It wasn’t my fault that the tenderloin I made was so good that I decided to eat it after it had been on the counter for, I don’t know, eight hours. I thought the microwave would fix things.” [03:39]
• The guys reinforce: Don’t play with food safety, don’t reheat rice twice (“reheated rice syndrome” becomes a running joke later).

2. Backup Options & Waiver Wire Gems

• [06:44 – 10:38]
  • Analysis of recently dropped players, who to keep an eye on, and which waiver wire targets might offer immediate help.
  • Tight ends:
    • Dalton Kincaid is being dropped too often—should be held.
    • Dalton Schultz is offered as a reliable emergency play:
      Andy: “He’s been very solid over the last month... You could do a lot worse.” [07:57]
  • Running back sleeper:
    • Tyler Badie (Denver) as a speculative add due to injuries in the backfield:
      Jason: “Sean Payton always uses multiple backs. Tyler Badie will be working.” [09:24]
  • DST:
    • San Francisco 49ers defense is highlighted as a stash ahead of a cushy run (vs. Arizona, Carolina, Cleveland, then Tennessee).

3. NFL News & Notes

• [10:47 – 16:24]
  • Travis Hunter (LCL surgery): Out for the season, quicker recovery expected.
  • J.K. Dobbins: Foot injury status uncertain, but not on IR yet—nervous vibes from the hosts.
  • Giants QB:
    • Jameis Winston starts; optimism for NY pass-catchers (Darius Slayton, Wondale Robinson, Jalen Hyatt).
      Jason: “Jameis is win, win, win. 303 and three. That’s what he does. 303 touchdowns, three interceptions.” [13:33]
  • Chris Rodriguez: Expected to play.
  • George Pickens/Cowboys: Cowboys may use franchise tag; debate about team/contract implications.
  • Breaking News: Marvin Harrison Jr. out this week due to an appendectomy.

4. Thursday Night Preview: Jets @ Patriots

• [18:21 – 25:15]
  • Patriots lauded as a “legit” 8–2 squad with all-around strong play.
  • Jets offense lampooned (“52 passing yards!”); only Breece Hall is a viable start for NYJ.
  • Patriots:
    • Drake May is a start; Trayvon Henderson considered a must-play regardless of Rhamondre’s status (even if both play, expect a 50/50 split).
    • Savon Diggs is a safe-floor, low-ceiling WR play.
  • On Trayvon Henderson:
    Andy: “His playoff schedule is so nice...” [37:37]

5. Playoff Primer: Setting Up for Success

• [25:40 – 48:03]

The Importance of Playoff Scheduling

• Emphasis on targeting players and positions with favorable playoff schedules, especially for lineup decisions and trade targets.

Fantasy Football Playoff Schedule Tools & Strategy

• Use points allowed and schedule-adjusted rankings for greater context, especially at tight end (where opposing team usage skews raw stats).
• Jason: “Schedule adjusted is a better way to look at it… it takes a look at the average of your opponent.” [27:26]

Quarterbacks to Target (Weeks 15-17)

• Best Schedules:
  • J.J. McCarthy
  • Tua Tagovailoa (“Big plays, league-winning upside,” [29:28])
  • Lamar Jackson
  • Daniel Jones (“You can win a championship with Daniel Jones,” [32:04])
• Strategy:
  • If you lack a top QB, consider piecemealing: combo of McCarthy/Herbert/Mariota/others, targeting specific weekly matchups.
• Warning:
  • Patrick Mahomes has a brutal stretch: Chargers, Titans, Broncos.
    Jason: “If I had Mahomes, I have no doubt you could ride him to the championship... but that [DEN] game scares me pretty bad.” [33:28]

Running Backs

• Best Playoff Schedules:
  • Commanders, Patriots, Cardinals (especially Trey Benson upon return from injury)
  • Devon Achane, Aaron Jones/Jordan Mason (sneaky league-winner upside)
  • Notable Rookies: Trayvon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins ("exciting to get primed for the playoffs"[37:49])
• Bad Playoff Schedules:
  • Jahmyr Gibbs, James Cook, Bears (Herbert, Warren have rough matchups)
• Waiver Fodder:
  • Tyler Badie, Michael Wilson (Arizona WR with opportunity)

Wide Receivers

• Best Playoff Schedules:
  • Justin Jefferson/Jordan Addison (Minnesota)
  • Jalen Waddle
    • Andy: “He does feel like [he could be] a league winner.” [40:29]
  • San Francisco WRs (Iuke, Jennings, Pearsall… monitor health)
  • AJ Brown, Terry McLaurin (“AJ Brown is the trade target I’d go get.” [42:27])
  • Jameson Williams (Lions) as a cheaper league-winner bet
• Bad Playoff Schedules:
  • Marvin Harrison Jr., Rashee Rice, Zay Flowers
  • Emeka Egbuka (tough, but he's a set-and-forget "stud")

Tight Ends

• Favorable Schedules:
  • Miami (potential for Waller/Dulcich to emerge)
  • Ravens (Mark Andrews, Tyler Warren)
  • Sam LaPorta (Lions) – “Maybe the biggest one here… can make a huge impact.” [45:37]
• Tough Schedules:
  • Brock Bowers, Travis Kelce: “A little worried,” Mike admits [47:10]
  • Dalton Schultz and Dallas Goedert: Know they have tough matchups—consider streaming contingencies.

Defenses (DSTs)

• Best Schedules:
  • Texans: “You want the combination of a good defense with good matchups.” [49:30]
  • Buccaneers
  • Chiefs
  • Steelers (Best in championship week vs. Cleveland, but dangerous semi vs. Detroit)
• Sit/Drop:
  • Broncos, Packers, Vikings, Chargers, Seahawks — all have bad matchups.

6. Trade & Mailbag Highlights

• [51:58 – 62:48]
  • Jonathan Taylor insurance: It’s muddy—no RB behind him is really a strong add.
  • George Pickens trade question: Pickens for Breece Hall is "totally fine" — same tier, depends on team needs.
  • Sell high on Trayvon Henderson? Yes, if you can get a surer thing like Bucky Irving.
  • Upgrading from Sutton/Alec Pierce and QB dilemmas (Flacco vs Nix): Flacco > Nix for Week 11.
  • Would you trade Justin Jefferson for Davante Adams? Not advised, especially with Adams’ injury concerns.
• Backup WR Adds: Michael Wilson (Arizona), given injuries/depth issues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jason, on his food poisoning:
  “It wasn’t my fault that the tenderloin I made was so good that I decided to eat it after it had been on the counter for, I don’t know, eight hours. I thought the microwave would fix things.” [03:39]
• On Jameis Winston:
  “Jameis is win, win, win. 303 and three. That’s what he does. 303 touchdowns, three interceptions.” [13:33]
• On playoff schedule strategy:
  “If you want to take a shot on the schedule, now is the time to do it. The matchup does matter. Guys just perform better against defenses that give up points to that position.” — Mike [27:03]
• On Daniel Jones as a league-winner:
  “You can win a championship with Daniel Jones.” — Andy [32:04]
• On defensive prep:
  “You can’t go into your playoffs with [Chargers/Seahawks]. You just, you cannot start those tier defenses against those opponents.” — Andy [51:42]
• Bonus food safety debate:
  “It’s called reheated rice syndrome and it is a severe—I mean, people have died many times and it is a very serious thing. So be careful with your reheated rice...” — Andy [54:10]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Welcome & Jason’s Return: 01:27–05:00
• Backup Options/Waiver Wire: 06:44–10:38
• News & Injuries: 10:47–16:24
• Thursday Game Preview: 18:21–25:15
• Playoff Primer: 25:40–48:03
  • Quarterbacks: 28:31–33:32
  • Running Backs: 33:43–38:52
  • Wide Receivers: 39:35–44:48
  • Tight Ends: 45:12–48:03
  • Defenses: 49:16–51:52
• Mailbag & Trade Targets: 51:58–62:48

Recap and Takeaways

• Now is the time to analyze playoff schedules and make “league-winning” acquisitions, especially for QB, RB, and DEF positions.
• Don’t be afraid to trade for players with great matchups weeks 15–17, or to piecemeal positions with waivers/streaming.
• Play your studs, but bench or trade fringe players with dreadful playoff schedules in favor of high-upside options.
• Waivers are still alive: keep monitoring injuries and depth chart shake-ups.
• The hosts reinforce humor, listener camaraderie, and sharp fantasy advice throughout.

Final thought from the crew:
“Don’t reheat your rice twice, set your roster up for the playoffs, and as always, play for upside—that’s how you win your league.”